Nelson Pecks died. John Smith might be drafted. Bishop thinks he could avoid a draft with a certificate of disability.
Lafourche Crossing La.
June 16th 1863
My dear darling Wife
The mail has come in this afternoon and I had 2 letters in it from you my darling. I found them all that I should desire. they contained the welcome news that you were all well at home and that to me is good news. I have trusted ail the time that providence would continue to cover us with his protecting hand. I thank my God for that protection and thank him that he has given me you my dear wife to comfort me while I am away from you and our children. I look forward with hope my darling to a reunion with you and long to relieve you of as much of the cares of the Family as I can. I hope that I shall be willing to stay more at home with you and give you as much of my society as will be desirable to you. the children do not feel any more disappointed because we are not coming home until August than we all do but it only makes a demand for more patience with us all. God is good and we are in his hands.
you speak of a relation of Nelson Pecks, probably his mother or sister. they will know by the time that this reaches you that he lies in the cold ground, buried by his comrades with military honors. but a few days before I saw him attending the burial of another member of Co. C. I suppose he little thought how soon he would be called upon to follow. I remarked that day how noble he looked as I saw him with his hat off wiping the perspiration from his Brow. it was an intensly hot day and the exertion of the ceremonies caused us to seek the shade as soon as possible. the military Burial is solemn but as soon as it is over the Drum corps and Escort marches back to the quarters with lively music.
John Smith has heard from Danbury that they intend to draft him for the service again and that made him talk very indignant. I do not think that there is the least danger of any of those that were in the service when the law was passed being drafted for 2 years, because the conscription act says that those not now in service shall compose those that are to be drafted from. if they should undertake that I think it would almost make me a copperhead. besides I think that I could get a certificate of disability. I think more of getting out of this than getting into that.
Now my darling if it were possible I love you more since I received your letters to day than I did before but that is not possible. I think that among the letters that I sent in May one of them contained 10 dollars. do not forget to mention whether you received it or not. continue to write often my dear whether a steamer is going to sail or not and mail them in season to [so] that they will be sure to take the 1st steamer that does sail. and do not hesitate to say anything that you wish to on account of delicacy but confide in me as your dearest friend and sympathizer. my darling I live on hope and faith that we shall be reunited when I hope to make you as happy as my poor ability will admit of. I will at least try my darling Wife and if loving will add to your happiness I promise to give you all I have. thing [think] of me both dreaming and awake and believe that I am thankful to my God for possessing you my dear darling little wife
from your affectionate Husband
J. D. Bishop
